Lights Out (2016)

"It wasn't hard to picture the big screen possibilities when the original Lights Out short went viral a few years ago. The resulting film, written by Eric Heisserer (Final Destination 5, 2010's A Nightmare on Elm St remake), isn't the most interesting extrapolation of the short imaginable, but its central hook remains effective enough to keep the movie afloat for its brisk running time."

"Essentially repeating the same jump scare, over and over again, for most of its muscular 80 minute running time. What's most shocking is how well it still works."

"The central idea here is as durable and effective as a well-told fireside ghost story, but in the cold light of day, the film fades."

"For a movie that relies so heavily on a single, not especially groundbreaking visual effect — now you see the bogeyman, now you don’t — Lights Out is crazy scary."

"This is a movie that just floats along until it becomes socially irresponsible not to divulge some sort of explanation."

"Predictable stuff, energized by some spiffy scare effects from cinematographer Marc Spicer who works wonders with underlighting."

"A surprisingly maternal horror movie that relies as much on fraying emotional bonds as supernatural suspense to create tension."